You left something kinda important out of your job description.

I don't understand how they can put this out there. This paper will become part of Gannett early next year. And the amount of statehouse coverage the rest of the Gannett papers in the state do amounts to what the AP, News Service of Florida and the Tallahassee Democrat put out.

The Naples Daily News is looking for a political writer to cover local and state issues. Covering politics requires great source reporting, an appreciation for history, an interest in data analysis and a passion for politics, maybe even an obsession. The ideal candidate loves politics and covering the people who practice it. This job requires someone who can quickly identify the political powers in our area, build relationships with the donors behind the candidates and cultivate a network of political sources who will keep them informed. The position requires coverage of municipal, county and state politics in a region where some of the nation's wealthiest political donors live.

The ideal reporting candidate has some knowledge of computer assisted reporting or a keen interest in learning skills that will enable easy analysis of campaign finance data and working with other data to identify trends among donors, elections and candidates.
Over the next year, Naples will elect a new mayor in a race that for the first time in recent memory is competitive. The region will see some of the most hotly contested legislative races as incumbents step down. And Southwest Florida donors are investing in the presidential race, which includes two candidates from the state. We want someone capable of tackling all those races, giving each equal attention and finding stories that no one else is telling.

This job is based in Southwest Florida. It requires collaboration with beat reporters who cover local and state government. The job will include some work in Tallahassee to help cover the Florida Legislature. This is a smaller part of the job, but a necessary assignment to help build state sources and assist in statehouse coverage.

Maybe they're just trying to get an open position filled before the takeover,
with the hope that they could put the reporter on another beat later if needed.
Fill those holes now, to keep your newsroom numbers up before it's too late.